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Assessment of Mental Health Nurses' Competences: A Scoping Review
Javier Sanz Calvo1, Alina Mariana Renghea2, Mercedes Gómez Del Pulgar García-Madrid2
1Mental Health Center Hortaleza, Psychiatry and Mental Health Department, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, 28033 Madrid, Spain.
Actas Espanolas De Psiquiatria
|June 25, 2026
Summary
This review identifies key clinical competences for Mental Health Nurses (MHNs) and highlights a need for better assessment tools. Integrating simulations and feedback can enhance MHN training and evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Mental Health Nursing
- Competency Assessment
Background:
- Limited research exists on how Mental Health Nurses (MHNs) acquire and are assessed for clinical competences in practice.
- Existing studies often focus on undergraduate nursing students or Registered Nurses, not specifically MHNs.
- This review addresses the gap by identifying MHN competences and evaluation methods in clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the clinical competences (knowledge, skills, attitudes) of Mental Health Nurses (MHNs) in regular clinical practice.
- To determine how these competences are currently evaluated.
- To inform the development of improved assessment strategies for MHNs.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive scoping review was conducted.
- Searches were performed across four major databases: PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PsycInfo.
- The review followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines with a double screening process.
Main Results:
- Twenty-three studies focusing on nursing competency acquisition and assessment tools were selected.
- Educational programs were found to improve professional competences.
- While many validated and researcher-developed assessment tools exist, few specifically target crosscutting MHN competences.
Conclusions:
- There is a significant need for assessment tools tailored to mental health nursing within Specialized Health Training Programs.
- Integrating complementary methods like simulations, feedback, and targeted tools is recommended.
- These integrated approaches can strengthen both the acquisition and evaluation of MHN competences.
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